Rockers join Loyola law professors for First Amendment panel

Following a notable U.S. Supreme Court victory over a challenge to his band’s trademark application, named plaintiff and bassist Simon Tam joined Loyola Law School, Los Angeles professors earlier this month for a panel discussion entitled, “The Slants Case from the Inside: The First Amendment & Disparaging Trademarks.”

The event focused on the U.S. Supreme Court’s recent opinion in Matal v. Tam, in which the high court struck down a longstanding provision of federal trademark law prohibiting registration of potentially disparaging trademarks as a violation of freedom of speech.

The Slants, an Asian-American dance rock band, defended the challenge to its name as disparaging on free speech grounds.

The Loyola Law School panel discussion wrapped up with an acoustic performance by the band.

— Shane Nelson